The smell of burning paper early this morning may have helped a pair of Portland Fire arson investigators solve a recent string of 13 small midnight fires.

Crews from the Portland Fire & Rescue Bureau were on the scene of four suspicious vehicle fires along of Northeast 148th Avenue between Northeast Glisan and Northeast Sacramento streets when two investigators caught a suspicious whiff just after 12:30 a.m.

What they discovered, following their noses, was a fire burning in a recycle bin in the carport of a home in the 1200-block of Northeast 148th Avenue. The blaze was rapidly spreading into the ceiling and walls of the carport.

One of the investigators woke the sleeping family and helped them escape; the other investigator dragged the burning recycle bin outside and called for backup.

Police and canine officers also responded, setting up a perimeter search of the area. Soon after, police arrested 18-year-old Bobby Lee Alsup III on a charge of first degree arson and reckless endangerment.

"These fire investigators used one of their most basic senses to save this family from a potentially dangerous fire," said Officer Paul Corah, a fire department spokesman.

In all, fire Investigators believe Alsup may be connected with all six car fires, plus seven suspicious garbage can fires in the area.

He was being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center on $250,000 bail.